Number 4. This statement should have attracted the attention of everyone who had the least idea about their ancestors' land holdings along the South Branch. It has one big error of fact: there was no "9000 Acre Fairfax Grant" ever given to Michael Harness, or Ernst, or whatever, or to anyone else by the good Lord Fairfax. Altogether, he had less than 58,000 acres, all of which were to be used for income. The various manors [South Branch, Patterson Creek, New Creek, etc.] all were managed in the same manner: leases [called farmlets] of from 203 to 456 acres were given out on strict terms. The Harness or Ernst name does not even appear among the farmlets granted on the South Branch or the South Fork in the first leases in 1748 and 1749, or for several years afterward. [see Gertrude E. Gray, Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 2 vols., 1694-1742, 1742-1775 (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1997 and 1998); and Charles Morrison, "Early Fairfax Land Grants and Leases Along the South Branch of the Potomac," in West Virginia History, XXXVIII, No. 1 (Oct 1976), pp. 2 et passim.] We can only suppose that some early descendant thought Michael important enough [and much more important than anyone else!] to get more acreage than any other settler on the South Branch. Documentation, logic and common sense were missing here, too. Statements like the original four noted above should have been examined and deleted from these family accounts years ago; but that requires everyone to question what they use from the accounts of others, and requires careful research. I'm relatively new to intensive South Branch area research. I started into this area trying to find sound Harness, etc., data to help me make sound connections to my Tevebaugh ancestors. What I've examined above is like much of what I've encountered. My job has been made difficult and lengthy because of it. Sound researchers, unfortunately, have not been plentiful. John L. Tevebaugh

Here is the second part: Number 2. This statement contains two (2) errors of fact: a). the name error is treated in 1, a, above; b). the second error is "born in Pennsylvania in 1700." For that to have happened, Michael would have had to grab a diaper and hurry back to Baden to get ready to descend the Rhine with his father and brother in 1709. Further, he did not arrive in Pennsylvania until at least 1723. Yes, he was said to have been born in 1700, perhaps about 01 Jan, but in Germany. Common sense, along with logic and facts force us to completely reject this seemingly innocuous statement. [see Jones and Graeff, above.] Number 3. This statement contains two (2) errors of fact: a). the first is "He married Elizabeth Zephebe, …." The most important problem with this is that there never was a person by that surname. That surname is totally synthetic. It somewhat resembles one made up out of whole cloth by clerks in New York Colony who were trying [and not very well, at that] to write a name pronounced by an immigrant German who, of course, could not write or speak English. English clerks, and especially those with Irish or Welsh roots, frequently created such names [and would continue to do so until after 1800]. One clerk certainly did when a particular German immigrant took the oath of allegiance to the crown at Albany, New York, on 31 Jan 1716. That German was Johann Conrad[t] Dieffenbach, who on that occasion was recorded as "Johan Coenraet Jefbach." Much later, when he clearly signed his 22 July 1737 will as "Johan Conrad Dieffenbach," it was indexed [probably by a Welshman] as that of "John Cynraed Tiffebogh" after the will was probated. That Johann Conrad[t] Dieffenbach had a daughter, Maria Elisabetha [baptized, Baden, 1705], whom he acknowledged in his will as married to an Ernst in Tulpehocken. Michael was the only Ernst there at that time. It becomes obvious that later members of families allied to the Harnesses, their memories somewhat dimmed by age and distance [Helen Black, for example, was writing about a man and wife who were born about 175 years before her letters!], began to use vaguely remembered syllables, and arrived at "Jephebe" and "Zephebe" and other forms not unlike those of the clerks. Apparently, no one ever bothered to wonder if these names could have been real! [Jones, as above; the Dieffenbach Will, Tulpehocken, 22 Jul 1737, as recorded 11 Oct 1738 in Philadelphia County at the Courthouse; Ray J. Dieffenbach and George L. Irgang, Johann Conrad Dieffenbach of Tulpehocken, Berks County, Pennsylvania (typescript, 1982, pp. 3-5, 7, 10-13); and Graeff, as above] b). the second error of fact is in the phrase, "a relative of Penn." This completely is without basis, unless Penn initiated a family "on the other side of the blanket" when he was on the continent in 1677 with George Fox. Here, no one thought to wonder how an Englishman whose first visit to the continent wasn't until 1677 could have been related to a German family who never left Baden until 1709.

Because of the length, I am sending this in 3 installments: 1st, introduction and analysis of Statement 1; 2nd, Statements 2 & 3; 3rd, Statement 4 and closing. John Four familiar statements were made in message # 9, in Digest V00#78, on 04 June, about Michael Harness, Sr., and his wife, Elizabeth. The first three have been around for many years, and perhaps the fourth one as well, and are included in many Harness write-ups. Because the statements have been used often by others, it might seem they are correct. However, if we examine each in light of proof, none of them can stand up. Proof is a demanding concept, not one satisfied by saying, "Oh, I found that in a book [or FGS] by …." Proof demands documentation, logic and common sense. Note what happens to each of these statements when subjected to the challenges of proof. I will explore them in numerical order. The four statements are: 1. "The Harnesses came from Holland about 1675 at the urging of William Penn." 2. "Michael Harness was born in Pennsylvania in 1700." 3. "He married Elizabeth Zephebe, a relative of Penn." 4. "He [Michael Harness] settled on the Potomac on a portion of his 9,000 acre Fairfax Grant." Number 1. This statement, a short sentence of only 13 words, actually contains four(4) errors of fact: a). the first error is in the expression "Harnesses came from …." The family referred to did not come from anywhere else, at least not with that surname. Instead, the head of the eventual family arrived in New York as Johann Michael Ernst [or Ernst-Hoerner, or vise-versa]. Extant records indicate that he seldom, if ever, personally used the name Harness during his lifetime, even marking his name on his 1779 will [proved 1785] as ME. Incidentally, whoever wrote the will spelled the surname Ernest/Ernesst, which suggests that he didn't know German, or Michael, well either. In that will, only the names of his acknowledged sons were given as Harness. Others referred to him as Harness, but not Michael himself that we know of. [Henry Z. Jones, Jr., The Palatine Families of New York (2 vols., Picton Press, 1985), Vol. 1, p. 378; Jones, More Palatine Families (Universal City, CA, 1991), p. 342; Will of Michael "Ernest," Estates File, Hampshire Co., VA; and Hampshire Co., VA, Will Book 2 (1780-1794), pp. 111-113.] b). the second error is in the words "came from Holland." In common usage, this phrase implies that Holland was "their [his]" home. Not correct. He, his father, and a brother were from Germany, the northern part of Baden, just south of Heidelberg. They "came from Holland" only in the sense that they, like thousands of other 18th century German emigrants, came down the Rhine River from their homes to its mouth at Rotterdam. From that point they seem to have taken ship to England, after which they went to North America [see the Jones references above, and other studies of 1709-1710 Palatine emigration; also Marie Knorr Graeff, ed., 1723-1973; Two Hundred Fifty Years; Tulpehocken; …., (Womelsdorf, PA, 1973), pp. 11 et passim.]. The same was true of his wife, Elizabeth, as will be shown more fully below, under statement 3 [see also Jones, I, pp. 158-159] c). the third error is "about 1675." To have done this, Michael would have had to come to America twenty-five (25) years before he was born; and 35 years before his father left Germany; and Elizabeth would have had to arrive 30 years before she was baptized in Wiesloch, Baden. [see Jones, as above] d). the fourth error is "at the urging of William Penn." This statement absolutely has no validity, if only because William Penn did not even receive his proprietorship of Pennsylvania until 1681! There are no supporting documents, anyway. Thus, documentation, logic and common sense force us to discard this first statement.

Now that you stirred it up good lets find what happened as many of us follow the Hornback-Alkire lines.R ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 17 40 PM Subject: Problems in Harness Research-3 Number 4. This statement should have attracted the attention of everyone who had the least idea about their ancestors' land holdings along the South Branch. It has one big error of fact: there was no "9000 Acre Fairfax Grant" ever given to Michael Harness, or Ernst, or whatever, or to anyone else by the good Lord Fairfax. Altogether, he had less than 58,000 acres, all of which were to be used for income. The various manors [South Branch, Patterson Creek, New Creek, etc.] all were managed in the same manner: leases [called farmlets] of from 203 to 456 acres were given out on strict terms. The Harness or Ernst name does not even appear among the farmlets granted on the South Branch or the South Fork in the first leases in 1748 and 1749, or for several years afterward. [see Gertrude E. Gray, Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 2 vols., 1694-1742, 1742-1775 (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1997 and 1998); and Charles Morrison, "Early Fairfax Land Grants and Leases Along the South Branch of the Potomac," in West Virginia History, XXXVIII, No. 1 (Oct 1976), pp. 2 et passim.] We can only suppose that some early descendant thought Michael important enough [and much more important than anyone else!] to get more acreage than any other settler on the South Branch. Documentation, logic and common sense were missing here, too. Statements like the original four noted above should have been examined and deleted from these family accounts years ago; but that requires everyone to question what they use from the accounts of others, and requires careful research. I'm relatively new to intensive South Branch area research. I started into this area trying to find sound Harness, etc., data to help me make sound connections to my Tevebaugh ancestors. What I've examined above is like much of what I've encountered. My job has been made difficult and lengthy because of it. Sound researchers, unfortunately, have not been plentiful. John L. Tevebaugh

And that relates my wife Dale F.Hames/Sloat/Deffenbaugh to me.R ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 17 25 PM Subject: Problems in harness Research - 2 Here is the second part: Number 2. This statement contains two (2) errors of fact: a). the name error is treated in 1, a, above; b). the second error is "born in Pennsylvania in 1700." For that to have happened, Michael would have had to grab a diaper and hurry back to Baden to get ready to descend the Rhine with his father and brother in 1709. Further, he did not arrive in Pennsylvania until at least 1723. Yes, he was said to have been born in 1700, perhaps about 01 Jan, but in Germany. Common sense, along with logic and facts force us to completely reject this seemingly innocuous statement. [see Jones and Graeff, above.] Number 3. This statement contains two (2) errors of fact: a). the first is "He married Elizabeth Zephebe, …." The most important problem with this is that there never was a person by that surname. That surname is totally synthetic. It somewhat resembles one made up out of whole cloth by clerks in New York Colony who were trying [and not very well, at that] to write a name pronounced by an immigrant German who, of course, could not write or speak English. English clerks, and especially those with Irish or Welsh roots, frequently created such names [and would continue to do so until after 1800]. One clerk certainly did when a particular German immigrant took the oath of allegiance to the crown at Albany, New York, on 31 Jan 1716. That German was Johann Conrad[t] Dieffenbach, who on that occasion was recorded as "Johan Coenraet Jefbach." Much later, when he clearly signed his 22 July 1737 will as "Johan Conrad Dieffenbach," it was indexed [probably by a Welshman] as that of "John Cynraed Tiffebogh" after the will was probated. That Johann Conrad[t] Dieffenbach had a daughter, Maria Elisabetha [baptized, Baden, 1705], whom he acknowledged in his will as married to an Ernst in Tulpehocken. Michael was the only Ernst there at that time. It becomes obvious that later members of families allied to the Harnesses, their memories somewhat dimmed by age and distance [Helen Black, for example, was writing about a man and wife who were born about 175 years before her letters!], began to use vaguely remembered syllables, and arrived at "Jephebe" and "Zephebe" and other forms not unlike those of the clerks. Apparently, no one ever bothered to wonder if these names could have been real! [Jones, as above; the Dieffenbach Will, Tulpehocken, 22 Jul 1737, as recorded 11 Oct 1738 in Philadelphia County at the Courthouse; Ray J. Dieffenbach and George L. Irgang, Johann Conrad Dieffenbach of Tulpehocken, Berks County, Pennsylvania (typescript, 1982, pp. 3-5, 7, 10-13); and Graeff, as above] b). the second error of fact is in the phrase, "a relative of Penn." This completely is without basis, unless Penn initiated a family "on the other side of the blanket" when he was on the continent in 1677 with George Fox. Here, no one thought to wonder how an Englishman whose first visit to the continent wasn't until 1677 could have been related to a German family who never left Baden until 1709.

* The Plague of America William Langer wrote that the Bubonic Plague was "the worst disaster that had ever befallen upon mankind." During the 14th century, about 30% of the European population died from its effects. The Europeans believed that the horror was caused by God punishing them for their sins. We now know that it was rats and fleas that carried the disease coupled with the hygienic shortcomings of the time. There is another plague that is barely spoken of, that is the spread of disease to native-Americans which was carried by the settlers of the New World. This plague caused 90% of the population to die and was refereed to by the governor of the Massachusetts colony John Winthrop as "an act of god." Winthrop wrote to a friend in England, "So as God hath thereby cleared our title to our place, those who remain in these parts, not being more than fifty, have put themselves under our protection." The Europeans brought with them diseases that the native people were incapable of handling. Europeans refused to bathe, believing it to be unhealthy, and they never took their clothes off. In fact, the natives complained that they smelled and tried to get the settlers to bathe but had little success. Furthermore, the Pilgrims brought with them animals that carried diseases such as cows and chickens. The results proved disastrous as only one in every twenty people survived the invasion from Europe. Although medical science has proven otherwise, the Europeans of the time still held steadfastly to the belief that this was an act of God being held out in their behalf. One settler proclaimed while speaking about the deaths of Native- Americans, "their enterprise failed, for it pleased God to effect these Indians with such a deadly sickness, that out of every 1000, over 950 of them had died, and many of them lay rotting above the ground for lack of burial." On the West Coast the devastation was similar. In 1769, it was estimated that there were 300,000 people living in California and by the end of the gold rush in 1849 only 30,000 remained. These cataclysmic events are treated in our textbooks as an example of American exceptionalism. "This great opportunity for a great social and political experiment may never come again," says the American Pageant. Another textbook states, "The American people have created a unique nation." What on earth is so unique? What did the natives do to deserve such a fate? The gracious acts of the indigenous people are quite remarkable. They told them how to grow corn, where to fish and where to hunt. This allowed the settlers to survive, however, they neglected to thank the natives. What can we learn from this? First, one must be very careful when any group says that their exploitation is an act of God. Second that America was conquered without regard for the people who lived there. It is estimated that over 14 million people lived in what we call the United States, but by 1900, fewer than one million remained. Today, we would describe this as ethnic cleansing. If anyone out there deserves reparations, it is Native-Americans. I pray that some day they get it. Sources for Article: Gary Nash, Red, White and Black Almon W. Lauber, Indian Slavery in Colonial Times Francis Jennings, The Invasion of America James Loewen, Lies My Teacher told Me .

Hi, I've just added the March 31, 1911 articles from the News Tribune that I have copied from microfilm at Potomac State College to the Mineral County USGenWeb. I've also added Hardy, Grant County items, as well as Junction & Purgittsville and some Romney news to these pages also, so if you have any connections to these areas, you may want to go back through the previously posted additions to the News Tribune Page. You can view these articles at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/keynews.htm Enjoy! :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

Following the newspapers articles being posted by Patti McDonald that relate to Hardy Co. residents and also the B&O RR, I was reminded of the following story. It was told to me by someone who visited their Mt. Storm family in Oct 1998 and talked with an elderly resident there. Can anyone on the list remember the incident talked about, or inquire of an older family member from the Mt. Storm/Gormania area in the 1910-1920 time frame, as I'm curious about this "Nellie" (no marriage record yet found after two years search). Grover was my grandfather and Nellie was apparently his first (and previously undisclosed) wife. Since Aronhalt and Hanlin descendants also resided in Mineral Co., I'll post there as well. Here's the story: Grover ARONHALT (son of Samuel and Mary Susan HANLIN ARONHALT) was the rural mail carrier that did a mail run from Gormania where the mail was dropped from the Baltimore & OH RR to the Mt. Storm Post Office. His mail route was from Gormania to the Mt. Storm P.O. about 8 miles away, then another 5 miles to another small P.O. in Bismarck (this P.O. no longer exists], and then the return to Gormania. He, of course, put mail in all the boxes along that route. One of the people on the route, a Lillian HANLIN, was believed to be using the mail to extort money from other persons. The Post Office got word of this and began an investigation. Naturally, Grover, being the mail carrier (and a Hanlin), was one of the people questioned. He got concerned that somehow he was going to get involved in the scandal and get thrown in jail, so he packed up his family, quit his job and headed west. The source of this story said Grover had no involvement and, in the end, he and his family could have "weathered the storm" and continued as the mail carrier but he chose to do otherwise before the investigation was completed. NOTE: In the 1910 Hardy Co. Census, Grover was single and living with his maternal grandparents, Samuel and Jane HANLIN. In the census of 1920, Grover and Nellie are found in Peoria Co., IL Census as husband and wife. Who is this Nellie? What and where might documentation regarding the above incident be found? Some of today's residents of Mt. Storm/Gormania include descendants of Samuel's brothers and sisters, David Aronhalt, Mary Margaret ARONHALT who md. David MORELAND, Job ARONHALT, Virginia ARONHALT md. Summers COSNER, and Kezia ARONHALT md. James COSNER. Thanks for any assistance you might be able to lend in solving this old family mystery, Carolyn

HARDY COUNTY NEWS Geo. H Kuykendall and daughter, Miss Ellen, left Monday morning for a short visit to Washington. C R Miller, formerly of this county, has been secured by the Keyser Orchard Co, as manager. Mr Milleris thoroughly posted on orcharding. Dr O V Brooke, of Baltimore, arrived here Mon and has now located here for the practice of his profession. The farm belonging to the late Jesse M Pratt was sold ata public auction last Sat. by J. Ed Chipley to Geo. W Miley for $1700. It is reported that if the mail route, as it is being conducted, is discontinued that Parker's of Romney will put stages on the road between Keyser and Petersburg. At the Corporation Election held last Sat. the old Council was re-elected with the exception of L L Bean, who was elected Recorder in place of M Dasher, who refused to serve again. You may find other articles of interest on the Mineral County Page where more articles from this paper are posted at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/keynews.htm Enjoy :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

Really enjoying the newspaper articles Patti. Thanks so much for putting them on the list and keep them coming. Bruce Gregory in Illinois

Thanks Patti, These are fun to read. Imagine the pace of life when Mrs. Cunningham's trip through town on the way to Baltimore made pages of the news paper. Margaret Lew [email protected] Barbour County Genealogy Page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvbarbou Hardy County Genealogy Page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvhardy

Hi, I've been posting newspaper articles on the Mineral County Page, and some mention people visiting from/going to visit other communities. You may find something there too. They are at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/newspapers.htm :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

Hardy Co News Mrs Lizzie Fisher is quite ill at her home here, with pneumonia. Robt. Washington, of Springfield, was a Moorefield visitor last week. Dr I F Scott, of Medley, was a business visitor here last Sat. Mrs M F Wright, and two children of Burlington, spent several days here this week with Miss Lizzie Williams. M M Bean has purchased of J H Marshall, 16 acres of land and one of the tenant houses on the Brighton farm. T C Dye, of Piedmont, president of the Piedmont Grocery Co, was here and at Petersburg last week in the interest of his company. Mr and Mrs A R Leatherman entertained a large number of their young friends at their hospitable home on last Sat night. A pleasant evening was spent by all. P E Thrush, of Burlington, was here this week making arrangements to move here about April 1. Geo D Price, of Charleston, son of Hon Geo Price, has been appointed by Congressman Littlepage as alternate for admission to West Point Academy. While feeding stock Mon afternoon near his home four miles from Franklin WV, Dr J A Dickenson dropped dead. The cause of his sudden death is not known. Dr Dickenson was a veterinary surgeon, who was very proficient in his art. He was well known here. :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List WVMINERA-L-reques[email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

Hardy County News Mrs W S Fisher is confined to her home with an attack of rheumatism. C C Marshall of Williamsport, spent several days here this week, circulating among friends. Ed VanMeter and family of Cumberland, spent several days here last week visiting relatives. Floyd Ketterman of Paw Paw and Daisy E Green of Petersburg were married in Cumberland last week. A brother of Tobe Sine, who is well known to many of our readers, was killed on a railroad near Mt Jackson Va last week. Kuhn and Co have purchased the Interest of M W Gamble, Dr Hackney and D G Marshall in their orchard near Williamsport. Chas E Vance, received a message last week saying that Mrs Vance who was operated on in a Baltimore hospital last week is improving nicely. Albert Leatherman left Mon. morning for Pittsburg to purchase six or eight mules for use in their orchard. Dr. Horton went with him to select them for him. Ercele High and Robert Pratt spent several days the past week at Purgittsville. Mr Pratt has bought J H High's farm, near Purgittsville, so we hear. Miss Lyla Wilson, who has been visiting at Gormania for some time returned to her home here, accompanied by Miss Blanche Wilderson, who will spend a short time here. Curry Reedy, of Brock's Gap, met with a serious accident by being thrown from a two year old colt. :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

Hardy Co News I S McNeill of Harrisonburg, was here calling on our merchants. Mrs Julia Cunningham, of Upper Tract, passed through here yesterday on her way to Baltimore. Marion Bosley has purchased the J W Pope farm near Grant and Hardy line in the Flats. J P Jones and family moved this week from R A Wilson's place to Kuhn & Co's, orchard back of the Old Fields. :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

Hardy Co News B H Sulser of Brunswick MD spent a few days with friends here last week. Mayor R A Welch of Keyser, spent several days here on legal business last week. Gen J E Roller of Harrisonburg Va, was a business visitor in Moorefield this week. Mrs Bierkamp and son Cleland, who have been visiting in the western part of the state, returned home last Sat. Dr A W Hawkins of Cumberland was called here this week in consultation with Dr Love in regard to the illness of Mrs Julia Gilkeson and Mrs Jos Evans, who are both quite sick. a meeting was held in the ME Church South, on last Thurs. nigh, at which time the question of building a new church was taken up and discusses. No definite action was taken on the matter. Earl Phillips, chauffeur for Geo Titlow of Uniontown Pa, who is well known here, was killed and four other gentlemen seriously injured by an automobile which Phillips was driving, running into a telephone pole. Mr and Mrs E J Harness of Rey Utah, who have been spending the past few weeks with B B McMechen and family will depart for their home Wed. evening. P D Delawder, of Lost River, was in town last week on business. Clark Kuykendall is confined to his home on account of sickness. Geo Kuhn left last week for Baltimore, to purchase spring stock of general merchandise. The fixtures are now being put in the new post office building, and it will be ready for occupancy in a short time. W C High of Purgittsville, has gone to Moundsville, where he has secured a position as guard in the penitentiary. The Omnibus claims bill, over which there has been such a fight has passed Congress. the Presbyterian church at this place has a claim of $1,400 in this bill. Beginning last Mon, the Hampshire Southern will carry the mail. The mail route from here to Romney will be discontinued and the mail will be carried from Old Fields to Cunningham. A route will also be run from Purgittsville to Romney. this is a great mistake on the part of the department, as it will cut off a large number of the people in the Flats, from good mail service. It is to be hoped that this new order will be changed in a very short time. The general merchandise store and flour mill, belonging to John J Jordan at Wardensville burned down Tues morning. The buildings had been unoccupied for some time. The loss, $3,000 is partly covered by insurance. :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

Hardy Co News Mrs Geo K Judy is right sick at her home in the Old Fields. T M McCorkle was here several days last week calling on our merchants. F C Welton, of Cumberland, came up last night on a short business trip. F C Turley of Romney and Fed Johnson of Canada, spent several days here lst week. Sen. R C Price left last week on a short trip to Charleston and other points. John S Pancake,of Staunton Va, was here several days the past week on business. Postmaster Harwood returned last Fri from a short business trip to Washington. Ed Leatherman was in Keyser last week attending the Agricultural School, which was held there. A S Veach of Purgittsville, came up last week and is assisting in P F Sions & Sons store at this time. Misses Alice McCoy and Lynn Moomau of Franklin, are the guests of Mr and Mrs R C Price. The Daughters of the Confederacy will meet at the home of Miss Sallie Chambers on Sat. Feb 11 at 3 o'clock. Harry Sions and wife and Herman Sions of Marshfield Mo, arrived here last week and will make their homes here. The unknown party who removed the coal from the bin at the Episcopal church and left their glasses, can get the latter by calling and settling up for the coal. Noah Cosner died at his home near Williamsport, after a brief illness of an abscess of the lungs, aged 42 years. The deceased was raised near Maysville. Mrs Henry Haslacker is a surviving sister. P F Sions and Sons have opened a complete line of general merchandise in the store room recently erected by Mr Sions near the H S Depot, where they will be pleased to have their friends call to see them. The will sell goods at the right prices. Rev Dr John W Start, 92 years old, died at this home in Baltimore Tues morning. Rev Start was pastor of the ME Church South, at this place, at the same time the Rev Mrs Beaty was and it was he who united in marriage Rev and Mrs Beaty. Jno W McNeill who has been quite sick, we are glad to say is improving. One of his sons is quite ill now. The Postoffice Dept has notified the Postmaster Harwood that the Hampshire Southern will begin carrying the mail on Feb 27. J H Marshall and several gentlemen from Midland have been here for the past week. We understand that they have optioned Geo T Leatherman's Brighton Farm and are laying off into 24 acre farms, which they will sell for truck raising. They should have no trouble disposing of it, as this is an ideal country for that business. :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

I've copied Keyser News Tribune articles from microfilm at Potomac State College. There are Hardy County News Articles, and I'm going to post them when I come across them. Hope it helps someone. From Feb 1911. Daniel Seldon has been right sick this week with grip. Born unto Mr and Mrs Frank Snyder, this week a son. Senator, R C Price spent a few days the past Week in Washington and other points. I N Weese had a flock of 14 sheep killed by dogs last week. Other parties report the loss of sheep by dogs. Rev C W Stump of Linden Va, was here Mon on his way to Petersburg to spend a few days visiting relatives. Miss Elizabeth Dailey was honored last Fri night by a number of friends who tendered her a surprise party. The evening was voted most delightful. W W McClung of Salem Va, who is well know to many of our readers, has sold an orchard of 1,700 choice young apple trees to a Pittsburg man for $12,000. Snider Bros. are now busily engaged finishing up the New US Post Office room in the Hardy County Bank building. A part of the fixtures have arrived and the room will be completed at the earliest possible moment. John W McNeill,who has been right sick, we are glad to say is improving. John J and W B Cornwell, of Romney spent last night in Moorefield. Miss Ruth Allen, of Romney, spent the past week visiting Sen. and Mrs R C Price Mrs Benj Dailey who spent several days in Washington, returned to her home here last week. :) Patti McDonald Burlington WV [email protected] Co-Coordinator Mineral County USGenWeb Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvminera/mineral.htm Subscribe to Mineral County Mailing List [email protected] Surnames I am researching: HARTMAN, WOLFE, MILLER, FLEEK, WHITEMAN, PUFFENBARGER, FITZPATRICK, COOKUS, CORBUS, DYE, WALSH

There is an auction on eBay for the discharge papers and pension paper for a Dvcaid Sisk of the 10th and 15th WV Infantry Regiment. Click on Collectibles and type in West Virginia Civuil War. There are 5 days left on the auction. Good luck...Mike Foreman

Hi, I am new to this list as I have received current information on two of my ancestors. Leroy Crawford born in Wardensville, West Virginia July 31, 1880. His father also born in West Virginia...Leroy Crawford Sr., date of birth March 16, 1829. My info does not give town where he was born. He (Leroy Sr) married Mary Ann Bowers on July 1, 1865. There were 11 other children, three of which I have no information for, and the others are Alberta, Mary Catherine, Etta, Daniel, Branson, David, Luther, James. Leroy Sr. served from 1860-1864 as a Captain of Company 2, 14th Regiment, West Virginia Militia. Any information would be appreciated. please send any replys direct ...email [email protected] 2